Effects of Maternal Dietary Enteromorpha prolifera Polysaccharide Iron Supplement on Mineral Elements and Iron Level of Neonatal Piglets.

Iron plays a key role in maternal health during pregnancy and fetal growth. Enteromorpha polysaccharide-iron (EP-Fe) as an organic iron chelate may improve the iron transmission of mother and offspring, ameliorate the poor pregnancy outcomes of sows, and alleviate the growth restriction of piglets caused by iron deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal dietary supplementation with EP-Fe on reproductive performance and placental iron transmission of sows, as well as growth performance of piglets. Sixty pregnant sows at the 95th day of gestation were randomly divided into control group and EP-Fe group (EP-Fe, 139 mg kg-1). Blood samples of sows and neonatal piglets, colostrum, and tissue samples were collected on the day of delivery. The animal experiment ended at the 21st day of post-delivery. Results showed that maternal dietary EP-Fe increased colostrum iron (P < 0.05) of sows, as well as final litter weight (P < 0.05) and average daily weight of piglets (P < 0.05) during days 1-21 of lactation, as well as iron and manganese content in umbilical cord blood (P < 0.05) and hepatic iron of neonatal piglets (P < 0.01), and decreased fecal iron (P < 0.001), serum calcium (P < 0.05), phosphorus (P < 0.05), and zinc (P < 0.01) in the parturient sow. RT-qPCR results showed that Fpn1 and Zip14 in placenta, as well as TfR1 and Zip14 in duodenum of neonatal piglets, were activated by maternal EP-Fe supplement. These findings suggest that maternal dietary EP-Fe could increase iron storage of neonatal piglets via improving placental iron transport and iron secretion in colostrum, thus enhancing the growth performance of sucking piglets.

Humor-based interventions for patients undergoing hemodialysis: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: There is evidence that humor interventions can impact chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Synthesize relevant literature to understand the elements and mechanisms of implementation of humor interventions. METHODS: Relevant peer-reviewed articles were searched. Data were extracted according to the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 261 articles. Nine were included in the scoping review. The studies included laughter (n = 5) and humorous video interventions (n = 4) in a face-to-face group format. The tailoring and fidelity process needs to be more detailed in most studies. None of the studies mentioned the theoretical basis. The humor videos were provided by nurses and required various types of equipment. The video interventions were conducted during dialysis. The laughter intervention consisted of 3-4 themes guided by qualified therapists. The timing of the laughter intervention is chosen based on the patient's dialysis schedule and is maintained for 30 min. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the current study somewhat limit the understanding, replication, and implementation of evidence-based humor interventions. Future studies need to clarify the theoretical basis, tailoring, fidelity, and control groups. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Ongoing reporting and evaluation of the implementation of humor interventions may help better understand their underlying mechanisms.

Microbiome-metabolome analysis reveals alterations in the composition and metabolism of caecal microbiota and metabolites with dietary Enteromorpha polysaccharide and Yeast glycoprotein in chickens.

The intestinal microbiome is responsible for the fermentation of complex carbohydrates and orchestrates the immune system through gut microbiota-derived metabolites. In our previous study, we reported that supplementation of Enteromorpha polysaccharide (EP) and yeast glycoprotein (YG) in combination synergistically improved antioxidant activities, serum lipid profile, and fatty acid metabolism in chicken. However, the mechanism of action of these polysaccharides remains elusive. The present study used an integrated 16S-rRNA sequencing technology and untargeted metabolomics technique to reveal the mechanism of action of EP+YG supplementation in broiler chickens fed basal diet or diets supplemented with EP+YG (200mg/kg EP + 200mg/kg YG). The results showed that EP+YG supplementation altered the overall structure of caecal microbiota as evidenced by ß diversities analysis. Besides, EP+YG supplementation changed the microbiota composition by altering the community profile at the phylum and genus levels. Furthermore, Spearman correlation analysis indicated a significant correlation between altered microbiota genera vs serum cytokine levels and microbiota genera vs volatile fatty acids production. Predicted functional analysis showed that EP+YG supplementation significantly enriched amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, energy metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. Metabolomics analysis confirmed that EP+YG supplementation modulates a myriad of caecal metabolites by increasing some metabolites, including pyruvic acid, pyridoxine, spermidine, spermine, and dopamine, and decreasing metabolites related to lipid metabolisms such as malonic acid, oleic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. The quantitative enrichment analysis results further showed that glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, citric acid cycle, tyrosine metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and cysteine and methionine metabolism were the most important enriched pathways identified with enrichment ratio >11, whereas, fatty acid biosynthesis and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids pathways were suppressed. Together, the 16S-rRNA and untargeted metabolomics results uncovered that EP+YG supplementation modulates intestinal microbiota and their metabolites, thereby influencing the important metabolism pathways, suggesting a potential feed additive.

Preparation of Monascus-fermented ginkgo seeds: optimization of fermentation parameters and evaluation of bioactivity.

In this study, a high monacolin K yield was achieved through solid-state fermentation of Ginkgo biloba seeds. Monascus purpureus suspension made from red yeast rice was used as spore inoculum. Fermentation conditions in solid-state fermentation were optimized using response surface methodology, and the optimal conditions for the maximum monacolin K yield (17.71 ± 1.57 mg/g) were 0.22% ammonium sulfate, 0.34% ammonium chloride, 0.05% magnesium sulfate, fermentation time of 12 days, inoculation volume of 11%, and temperature of 27 °C. The total phenolic content of Monascus-fermented ginkgo seeds attained 9.67 mg GAE/g, 4.88-fold higher than that of unfermented ginkgo seeds. The scavenging abilities of DPPH and ABTS free radicals increased to 9.79 mg TE/g and 13.92 mg TE/g, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of investigating the optimal fermentation conditions for maximum monacolin K yield and the utilization value of ginkgo seed as fermentation substrate for higher bioactivities. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-022-01078-z.

Dietary Enteromorpha polysaccharide-Zn supplementation regulates amino acid and fatty acid metabolism by improving the antioxidant activity in chicken.

BACKGROUND: Enteromorpha prolifera (E. prolifera) polysaccharide has become a promising feed additive with a variety of physiological activities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, hypolipidemic, and cation chelating ability. However, whether Enteromorpha polysaccharide-trace element complex supplementation regulates amino acid and fatty acid metabolism in chicken is largely unknown. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of E. prolifera polysaccharide (EP)-Zn supplementation on growth performance, amino acid, and fatty acid metabolism in chicken. METHODS: A total of 184 one-day-old Ross-308 broiler chickens were randomly divided into two treatment groups with 8 replicates, 12 chickens per replicate, and fed either the basal diet (control group) or basal diet plus E. prolifera polysaccharide-Zinc (400 mg EP-Zn/kg diet). RESULTS: Dietary EP-Zn supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) the body weight, average daily gain, muscle antioxidant activity, serum HDL level, and reduced serum TG and LDL concentration. In addition, dietary EP-Zn supplementation could modulate ileal amino acid digestibility and upregulate the mRNA expression of amino acid transporter genes in the jejunum, ileum, breast muscle, and liver tissues (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, breast meat from chickens fed EP-Zn had higher (P < 0.05) Pro and Asp content, and lower (P < 0.05) Val, Phe, Gly, and Cys free amino acid content. Furthermore, EP-Zn supplementation upregulated (P < 0.05) the mRNA expressions of mTOR and anti-oxidant related genes, while down-regulated protein degradation related genes in the breast muscle. Breast meat from EP-Zn supplemented group had significantly lower (P < 0.05) proportions of Σn-3 PUFA, and a higher percentage of Σn-6 PUFA and the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA. Besides, EP-Zn supplementation regulated lipid metabolism by inhibiting the gene expression of key enzymes involved in the fatty acid synthesis and activating genes that participated in fatty acid oxidation in the liver tissue. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that EP-Zn complex supplementation regulates apparent ileal amino acid digestibility, enhances amino acid metabolism, and decreases oxidative stress-associated protein breakdown, thereby improving the growth performance. Furthermore, it promotes fatty acid oxidation and restrains fat synthesis through modulating lipid metabolism-related gene expression.

Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharide-zinc complex modulates the immune response and alleviates LPS-induced intestinal inflammation via inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharide-zinc (EP-Zn), a kind of polysaccharide-zinc complex, has been shown to improve the immune response and reduce the inflammatory factors in weaned piglets. Yet, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. The present study was conducted to investigate the immunomodulating activity and anti-inflammatory mechanism of EP-Zn in mice. Different doses (350 mg kg-1, 700 mg kg-1, 1050 mg kg-1 and 1400 mg kg-1) of EP-Zn were administered to C57BL/6J mice for 28 days. The results showed that under physiological conditions, 350 mg kg-1 EP-Zn stimulated cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-10) secrection, regulated the intestinal microbiota, and reduced the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (acetic acid and propionic acid). In addition, in the LPS-induced inflammation model, EP-Zn pretreatment effectively alleviated LPS-induced shortening of colonic length and increased MPO and DAO contents, improved intestinal physical barrier function by modulating mucosal structure, and attenuated intestinal inflammation via inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggested that EP-Zn exerted immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities under physiological and inflammatory conditions, respectively.

Enteromorpha polysaccharide-zinc replacing prophylactic antibiotics contributes to improving gut health of weaned piglets.

This research aimed to study whether Enteromorpha polysaccharide-zinc (EP-Zn) can act as an alternative to antibiotics in weaned piglet feeds. Two hundred and twenty-four weaned piglets from 14 pens were randomly assigned into 1 of 2 groups according to their body weight and litter size (7 pens/group). The piglets in the antibiotics group were fed with olaquindox at 400 mg/kg and enduracidin at 800 mg/kg basal diet, and piglets in the EP-Zn group were fed with EP-Zn at 800 mg/kg basal diet. One piglet per pen was selected to collect samples after 14 d of feeding. Results showed that EP-Zn supplementation significantly increased the plasma anti-oxidants level compared with the antibiotics group. However, a nonsignificant difference was observed in growth performance between treatment groups. Additionally, the intestinal tight junction (TJ) protein expression and the histopathologic evaluation data showed that EP-Zn contributed to improving intestinal development. Further, piglets in the EP-Zn group had a lower level of intestinal inflammation-related cytokines including IL-6 (P < 0.001), IL-8 (P < 0.05), IL-12 (P < 0.05) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (P < 0.001), and showed an inhibition of the phosphorylation nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (p-NF-κB) (P < 0.05) and total NF-κB (P < 0.001) level in the jejunal mucosa. Taken together, it is supposed that EP-Zn, to some extent, would be a potent alternative to prophylactic antibiotics in improving the health status of weaned piglets.

Manganese methionine hydroxy analog chelated affects growth performance, trace element deposition and expression of related transporters of broilers.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of manganese methionine hydroxyl analog chelated (Mn-MHAC) as a manganese (Mn) source on growth performance and trace element deposition in broilers. A total of 432 Arbor Acres commercial female broilers were fed a basal corn-soybean diet containing Mn at 25.64 mg/kg diet for 10 d. They were then randomly assigned to 6 groups, including a control group (the basal diet), a Mn sulfate group (the basal diet supplemented with Mn at 100 mg/kg diet), and 4 Mn-MHAC groups (the basal diet supplemented with Mn-MHAC at 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg Mn/kg diet, respectively). The results showed that compared with the control group, groups supplemented with Mn-MHAC had a positive effect on BW (quadratic, P = 0.017) and ADG (quadratic, P = 0.017). Moreover, the Mn-MHAC (50 mg Mn/kg diet) group had significantly greater BW and ADG (P < 0.05) compared with the other Mn-MHAC groups. Trace element deposition results also showed that tibial Mn increased (linear or quadratic, P = 0.002 and 0.009, respectively) in groups fed diets with increased levels of Mn-MHAC. In contrast, Fe deposition decreased both in the heart (linear, P = 0.020) and tibia (P < 0.05). In addition, the Mn-MHAC supplement noticeably lowered serum Mn-SOD activity (linear or quadratic, P = 0.048 and 0.019, respectively). The relative mRNA levels of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) (P = 0.024), ferroportin 1 (FPN1) (P = 0.049), and Cu transporter-1(CTR1) (P < 0.001) in the duodenum, as well as CTR1 in the jejunum and ileum (P = 0.040 and 0.011, respectively) were higher in the Mn-supplemented group than in the control group. Furthermore, the relative mRNA level of DMT1 in the jejunum and ileum of broilers in the Mn-MHAC group (50 mg Mn/kg diet) did not differ from those in the control group, but was lower than those in the Mn sulfate group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Mn-MHAC dietary supplementation improved the growth performance and trace element deposition in broilers. From this study, we recommend the optimum Mn-MHAC level to meet the Mn requirement of broilers is 50 to 75 mg Mn/kg diet.

Nanoselenium and Selenium Yeast Have Minimal Differences on Egg Production and Se Deposition in Laying Hens.

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of nanoselenium (NS) and selenium yeast (SY) on the performance, egg selenium (Se) concentration, and anti-oxidative capacity of hens. A total of 216 Brown Hy-line hens (29-week old) were randomly allocated into three treatments (6 replicate/treatment, 12 hens/replicate). The pre-trial period lasted 7 days, and the experimental period lasted 35 days. Dietary treatments included corn-soybean meal basal diet (containing 0.16 µg Se/g, as control group), and basal diet supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg diet (Se was from NS or SY), called as SY group or NS group, respectively. At the end of the experiment, one hen per replicate from each treatment was slaughtered. Liver, spleen, and kidney tissues were sampled for the determination of Se concentrations. The results showed that NS or SY supplement significantly improved feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05), soft broken egg rate (P < 0.05), and the serum T-AOC value (P < 0.05) when compared with control group. Remarkably, the deposition of Se increased significantly (P < 0.05) and equivalently in egg, liver, and kidney of hens supplemented with both NS and SY. Interestingly, SY supplement also enhanced the serum CAT and SOD activities (P < 0.05), NS but not SY significantly reduced serum MDA (P < 0.05), whereas RT-PCR results did not show significant differences in the mRNA levels of antioxidant genes among three groups (P > 0.05). Taken together, dietary supplemented with SY or NS improved the Se deposition in eggs, liver and kidney of laying hens, increased antioxidant activity, and NS supplement had greater Se deposition in the kidney tissue than SY supplement. SY or NS supplement could be considered to be applied for Se-enriched egg production.

Efficacy and safety of tripterygium glycosides in the treatment of hyperthyroidism: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overreactive and produces excess amounts of thyroid hormone. Tripterygium glycosides, traditional Chinese medicine has been widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, nephrotic syndrome, hyperthyroidism and other diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Evidence-based research is becoming popular especially with the application of Chinese traditional medicine. This paper systematically reviews and evaluates existing clinical data on the efficacy and safety of Tripterygium glycosides in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane library and EMBase, Chinese biomedical literature database (CBM), Chinese journal full-text database (CNKI), Wan fang digital periodical full-text database and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) were searched based on the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction, research quality assessment and meta-analysis were conducted with RevMan5.3 software. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to evaluate information size and treatment benefits. RESULTS: Seventeen randomized controlled clinical trials with 1536 participants were included in the systematic review. In the meta-analysis, there were two subgroups: Tripterygium glycosides combined with thiamazole and prednisone group; Tripterygium glycosides combined with thiamazole group. The study results revealed that the degree of exophthalmos, FT3, FT4, BGP, and AKP decreased while TSH, SOD, GSH-PX increased after the addition of Tripterygium glycosides. This study results suggested that Tripterygium glycosides combined with western medicine are an effective therapy for hyperthyroidism. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that Tripterygium glycosides enhances the effect of thiamazole and prednisone in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and without increasing the risk of adverse events.

Maternal dietary uridine supplementation reduces diarrhea incidence in piglets by regulating the intestinal mucosal barrier and cytokine profiles.

BACKGROUND: Nucleotides play an important role in the regulation of cellular energy and protein homeostasis, which facilitate the repair, recovery and repletion of tissue function. This study tested the effects of maternal uridine (UR) supplementation during late pregnancy and lactation of sows on the immune function of the small intestine in neonatal and suckling piglets. RESULTS: Results showed that compared to the control group, maternal dietary UR supplementation significantly decreased incidence of diarrhea in suckling piglets (P < 0.01); and increased both duodenal and ileal average villus height (P < 0.01) as well as villus height/crypt depth in ileum (P = 0.017) in neonatal piglets. RT-qPCR results showed that maternal UR supplementation decreased mRNA expression of claudin-1 in jejunum and ileum of neonatal piglets (P < 0.05), while significantly increased mRNA expression of claudin-1 in duodenum and jejunum of suckling piglets. Furthermore, in suckling piglets, maternal dietary UR supplementation increased mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1ß in duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05), increased IL-10 expression in both jejunal and ileal mucosa (P < 0.05) and increased mRNA expression of IKB and TLR4 in ileal mucosa (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that maternal dietary supplementation with UR contributed to reducing incidence of diarrhea by regulating cytokine secretion and intestinal mucosal barrier function in suckling piglets. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Meat Quality and Fatty Acid Profiles of Chinese Ningxiang Pigs Following Supplementation with N-Carbamylglutamate.

The present study evaluated the effects of dietary N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on carcass traits, meat quality, and fatty acid profiles in the longissimus dorsi muscle and adipose tissues of Chinese Ningxiang pigs. A total of 36 castrated female pigs with a similar initial weight (43.21 ± 0.57 kg) were randomly assigned to two treatments (with six pens per treatment and three pigs per pen) and fed either a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 0.08% NCG for 56 days. Results showed that dietary NCG reduced shear force (p = 0.004) and increased drip loss (p = 0.044) in longissimus dorsi muscle of Ningxiang pigs. Moreover, increased levels of oleic acid (C18:1n9c) (p = 0.009), paullinic acid (C20:1) (p = 0.004), and α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3) (p < 0.001), while significant reduction in the proportions of arachidonic acid (C20:4n6) (p < 0.001) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (p = 0.017) were observed in the longissimus dorsi muscle of pigs fed NCG when compared with those fed the control diet. As for adipose tissues, the C20:1 (p = 0.045) proportion in dorsal subcutaneous adipose (DSA), as well as the stearic acid (C18:0) (p = 0.018) level in perirenal adipose (PA) were decreased when pigs were fed the NCG diet compared with those of the control diet. In contrast, the margaric acid (C17:0) (p = 0.043) proportion in PA were increased. Moreover, the NCG diet produced PA with a greater proportion of total PUFAs (p = 0.001) (particularly linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) (p = 0.001)) compared with those produced by the control diet. These findings suggest that dietary NCG has beneficial effects by decreasing the shear force and improving the healthfulness of fatty acid profiles, providing a novel strategy for enhancing meat quality of pigs.

How the health institution combinative contracting mechanism influences community residents' patient experiences in Shanghai: A comparative study of data from two cross-sectional surveys.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the effect of the health institution combinative contracting mechanism (which make participating residents make a "combinative contracting" involving family doctor of community health center, one secondary hospital, and one tertiary hospital) on community residents' patient experiences in Shanghai, China. METHODS: We conducted two questionnaire surveys (2016 and 2018) on the patient experiences of 1200 permanent residents of 12 subdistricts of Shanghai, who were selected via stratified random sampling. Of these, 926 participants were included after propensity score matching. We compared five dimensions of patient experience-accessibility, environment and facilities, service attitude and emotional support, communication and patient engagement, and service integration-before and after implementation of the health institution combinative contracting mechanism in June 2016. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors related to residents' overall experience. RESULTS: The health institution combinative contracting mechanism influenced most dimensions of residents' patient experience, such as accessibility, service attitude and emotional support, communication and patient participation, and service integration. The mechanism in general helped contracted residents obtain a better patient experience than before its implementation. Referral had a significant effect on participants' overall experience. CONCLUSION: Contracted family doctors play active roles in improving nearly every dimension of residents' service experience, as well as their overall experience of services. The health institution combinative contracting mechanism not only increases interaction and strengthens trust between doctors and patients but also makes it possible for residents to obtain integrated health services.

Uridine/UMP metabolism and their function on the gut in segregated early weaned piglets.

Uridine monophosphate (UMP) is a major nucleotide analogue in mammalian milk and uridine (UR) is its gastro-intestinal metabolite in vivo. This study aims to investigate the functional effects of UMP and UR on the gut in vitro and in vivo. Twenty-one piglets were randomly allotted into three groups, the control group, UMP group and UR group, and orally administered UMP or UR for 10 days. Results showed that UMP and UR supplements improved the ADG of piglets, and decreased the diarrhea rate. UR increased the jejunum villus length/crypt depth ratio, Claudin-3 and E-cadherin expression, and the pyrimidine nucleotide metabolic enzymes including CMPK1, RRM2, UPRT, CTPS1 and CTPS2 in the duodenal mucosa. Both the UMP and UR decreased the expression of CAD and RRM2 at the jejunal mucosa. Moreover, UMP and UR increased the apoptosis ratio of intestinal epithelial cells in in vivo and in vitro experiments. Taken together, oral administration of UR and UMP could improve the small intestinal morphology, promote epithelial cell apoptosis and renewal of intestinal villus tips, and benefit intestinal development and health thus improving the growth performance and reducing the risk of diarrhea in early-weaned piglets.

Dietary supplement with nucleotides in the form of uridine monophosphate or uridine stimulate intestinal development and promote nucleotide transport in weaned piglets.

BACKGROUND: Nucleotides are key constituents of milk, where they are utilized in cell replication, although there are limited studies for weaned piglets. This study evaluated the effects of uridine monophosphate (UMP) with uridine (UR) feed supplementation on the intestinal development and nucleotide transport in weaned piglets. RESULTS: Supplementation with UMP significantly increased (P < 0.05) plasma glucose, and UR supplementation significantly reduced (0.05 < P < 0.10) the plasma total cholesterol (TC) of piglets when compared with that of the control group, although non-significant difference (P > 0.05) in growth performance was observed among three groups. Piglets fed supplementary UR exhibited greater (P < 0.05) crypt depth in the duodenum and ileum when compared with those in the supplementary UMP and control groups. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results revealed that UR supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the relative mRNA levels of genes encoding the transmembrane proteins ZO-1 and occludin in the duodenum mucosa, and ZO-1 in the jejunum mucosa (P < 0.05). Similarly, UR supplementation increased (P < 0.05) expression of solute carriers SLC28A1 and SLC29A1 in the duodenum mucosa. Conversely, claudin-1 expression in the duodenum mucosa was inhibited (P < 0.05) by dietary supplementation with UMP or UR. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our data indicated that dietary supplementation with UMP or UR was conducive to stimulating intestinal development and promoting nucleotide transport in weaned piglets. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Different Selenium Sources on Laying Performance, Egg Selenium Concentration, and Antioxidant Capacity in Laying Hens.

Supplementation of selenium (Se) is a common practice in the poultry industry via sodium selenite (SS) and selenium yeast (SY), while the effects of nano-selenium (NS) on laying hens are poorly known. This study aimed to compare the effects of NS, SS, and SY on productivity; selenium (Se) deposition in eggs; and antioxidant capacity in laying hens. A total of 288 30-week-old Brown Hy-line laying hens were randomly assigned into four dietary treatments, which included corn-soybean meal basal diet (Con) without Se sources and basal diets supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg as SS, SY, or NS, respectively. The results exhibited that Se-supplemented treatments achieved greater egg production, egg weight, and daily egg mass, also better feed conversion ratio than Con group (p < 0.05). Se supplementation significant increased egg Se concentration and decreased the egg Se deposition efficiency (p < 0.05), while SY or NS supplementation had higher Se deposition efficiency than SS group at 35 days (p < 0.05). Moreover, serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity increased in SS or NS group compared to Con group (p < 0.05). The glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX-4) mRNA levels in liver were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in SS or SY group than in NS group, and mRNA levels of the methionine (Met) metabolism gene glycine N-methyltranserfase (GNMT) were markedly upregulated (p < 0.05) in SY group compared to SS or NS group. Taken together, the results revealed Se from SY is deposited into eggs more efficiently than Se from NS or SS, probably via enhancing the route of Met metabolism. Meanwhile, it might be concluded that SS or SY supplementation directly regulated GSH-Px activity via enhancing GPx4 level, whereas NS via GPx1, thus affecting body oxidation and development.

Maternal supplementation with calcium varying with feeding time daily during late pregnancy affects lipid metabolism and transport of placenta in pigs.

To investigate effects of Ca level varying with feeding time daily in sows during late pregnancy on placental lipid metabolism and transport in pigs, sixty pregnant sows were assigned to 3 groups: the CON group was fed low-Ca diet with 11.25 g CaCO3 at 0600 h and 1500 h, H-L group was fed low-Ca diet with 22.5 g CaCO3 at 0600 h and low-Ca diet at 1500 h, and L-H group was fed low-Ca diet at 0600 h and low-Ca diet with 22.5 g CaCO3 at 1500 h, respectively. Serum from sows and umbilical cord and placenta were collected during delivery. Results showed that, compared with the CON group, H-L feeding significantly increased maternal serum total triglyceride (TG) and umbilical serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P < 0.05). The results showed that long chain fatty acid (FA) contents in placenta were significantly increased in H-L and L-H groups (P < 0.05). Experiments on genes involved in glycolipid metabolism showed that H-L or L-H feeding inhibited mRNA expression of GLUT3, GLUT4, FAS, FABP1, FABPpm, FAT/CD36, while activated the mRNA expression of FASD1, FASD2 and SCD in placenta (P < 0.05). In addition, experiments on genes involved in biological clock showed that L-H feeding sequence activated the mRNA expression of per1 and clock, while H-L and L-H feeding sequence inhibited mRNA expression of per2 in placenta (P < 0.05). It is concluded that maternal supplementation with Ca varying with feeding time daily during late pregnancy affects placental lipid metabolism and transport in pigs by regulating the mRNA expression related to lipid metabolism and the circadian clock.

Chitosan oligosaccharide affects antioxidant defense capacity and placental amino acids transport of sows.

BACKGROUND: Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) is widely consumed as a functional food due to its multiple health effects, but few studies about COS supplement on placental antioxidant and nutrition transport capacity were reported. Taken pregnant sow as a model, we aimed to investigate the effects of dietary COS supplementation during late gestation on placental amino acids transport and antioxidant defense capacity of sows. From day (d) 85 of gestation to parturition, sixteen pregnant sows were divided into a control group (basal diet without COS supplementation) and a COS group (30 mg COS/kg basal diet). Plasma sample of sow was collected on d 110 of gestation, and placenta tissue was obtained during parturition. Then plasma antioxidant enzyme's activities, the relative level of oxidant stress related genes, amino acids transport related genes and mTOR pathway molecules in placenta were determined. RESULTS: Results showed that maternal dietary supplementation with COS increased (P < 0.05) plasma total SOD, caused a downtrend in plasma MDA (0.05 < P < 0.10) on d 110 of gestation. Interestingly, the mRNA expression of some antioxidant genes in the placenta were increased (P < 0.05) and pro-inflammatory cytokines were reduced (P < 0.05) by COS supplement, whereas no significant difference was observed in the activities of placental total SOD and CAT between two groups. Additionally, further study demonstrated that COS feeding stimulated mTOR signaling pathway, increased amino acids transporters expression in placenta. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggested that COS supplement in sow's diet during late gestation enhanced antioxidant defense capacity of sows, promoted placental amino acids transport, which may contribute to the health of sows and development of fetus during gestation.

Effects of ferrous carbamoyl glycine on iron state and absorption in an iron-deficient rat model.

An iron-deficient rat model was established and used to determine the effects of different iron sources on iron metabolism and absorption. Iron-deficient rats were assigned to one of three treatment groups, and their diet was supplemented with deionized water (control), Fe-CGly, or FeSO4 for 8 days via intragastric administration. Blood samples were obtained for analysis of iron-related properties, and the small intestine and liver were removed for quantitative reverse transcription PCR of genes related to iron metabolism. The serum total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) levels of rats in Fe-CGly and FeSO4 supplementation groups was lower (P < 0.05) than that of the rats in the control group. The rats in Fe-CGly group exhibited higher (P < 0.05) plasma Fe and ferritin levels and lower (P < 0.05) TIBC levels compared with the rats in FeSO4 groups. The relative expression of liver hepcidin increased (P < 0.05) by tenfold and 80-fold in the Fe-CGly and FeSO4 groups, respectively, whereas divalent metal transporter 1, duodenal cytochrome b, and ferroportin 1 expression decreased (P < 0.05) in the duodenum in both Fe-CGly and FeSO4 group. A comparison between Fe-CGly and FeSO4 group showed that iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) and iron regulatory protein (IRP2) expressions were reduced (P < 0.05) in rats administered FeSO4 than in rats administered with Fe-Cgly. These results indicate that Fe-CGly rapidly improves the blood iron status and that IRP1 and IRP2 may play an important role in the intestinal absorption of Fe-CGly.

Toxicological evaluation of ferrous N-carbamylglycinate chelate: Acute, Sub-acute toxicity and mutagenicity.

Iron is an essential trace element that is vital important in various biological process. A deficiency in iron could induce public health problem e.g. anaemia, while an overload could induce ROS production, lipid peroxidation and DNA bases modifications. In the present study, a new iron fortifier was synthesized, and its acute/sub-acute toxicity was investigated. According to the improved Karber's method, the median lethal dose (LD50) of the ferrous N-carbamylglycinate in SD rat was 3.02 g/kg and the 95% confidence intervals were between 2.78 and 3.31 g/kg. No biologically significant or test substance-related differences were observed in body weights, feed consumption, clinical signs, organ weights, histopathology, ophthalmology, hematology, and clinical chemistry parameters in any of the treatment groups of ferrous N-carbamylglycinate at target concentrations corresponding to 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg/day for 28 days. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for ferrous N-carbamylglycinate was at least 600 mg/kg b.w. day in rats. In addition, no evidence of mutagenicity was found, either in vitro in bacterial reverse mutation assay or in vivo in mice bone marrow micronucleus assay and sperm shape abnormality assay. On the basis of our findings, we conclude that ferrous N-carbamylglycinate is a low-toxic substance with no genotoxicity.